Table



pril 3, 1 M. F. MONDINEU 2,740,533

TABLE Filed Aug. 1, 1951 & 1

J A IN V EN TOR.

BY Marie Fmnca/se Mend/we United States Patent TABLE Marie Francoise Mondineu, Paris, France, assignor of one-half to Etablissements Reuge, Paris, France, a French society Application August 1, 1951, Serial No. 239,660

Claims priority, application France August 12, 1950 1 Claim. (Cl. 211-149) The present invention relates to a table and more particularly it relates to a table characterized by a rigid frame, on which one or more panels are hinged, capable of being turned down so as to form plane surfaces for holding any kind of objects, or, on the contrary, to fold back against the table, the latter thus being reduced to a very flat assembly easily accommodated and moved.

According to one feature of the invention, the panels are hinged to the inside of the rigid frame so that they can be folded inside this frame to reduce the thickness of the assembly in that position.

According to another feature, the table comprises two panels or two series of panels jointed to the frame, so that they can be turned down independently and respectively on either side of the frame, thus enabling the user to have available at will a large or small surface on which to place objects.

According to another feature, the table comprises means of support such as legs turnably mounted on a frame between a first position when the panels are open, and in which the legs extend outwardly away from opposite sides of the frame, and a second position in which the legs are arranged substantially parallel to the frame and closely adjacent thereto and in which the panels are turned up against or within the rigid frame, whereby, in this latter position, the table occupies a very reduced space.

According to another feature of the invention, the legs are jointed at each end of the rigid frame along vertical axes, the panels being jointed around horizontal axes comprised between the vertical jointed axes of the legs, so that the opening of the panels has the effect of causing the opening of the legs which are turned back against the table-frame, when the table is in the folded position.

The invention also relates to the features hereinafter described and to their various possible combinations.

A table in accordance with the invention is illustrated, by way of nonrestrictive examples; in the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial front view;

Figure 2 is a profile view of the table completely open;

Figure 3 is a side view of the table partly open.

In accordance with the invention, this table comprises a rigid frame 10, made of wood, for example, and being strengthened by a horizontal cross-bar 11.

In the middle plane of this frame, two pairs of shelf panels 14, 15 and 30, 31 are jointed around horizontal axles 12, 13, formed, for example, by hinges. The width of these panels is equal to the distance between the inner faces of two lateral uprights of the frame, so that the panels are capable of being turned up against each other inside the frame 10, or, on the contrary, to open out, so as to become extended, respectively in two horizontal planes, as shown in Figure 2.

In this open position, the panels can hold any kind of objects.

Since the panels 14, 15 and 30, 31 of each pair being Patented Apr. 3, 1956 jointed around superposed axles, it is obvious that in the open position they are exactly one above the other. Lateral connecting rods 16, 17 which connect the superposed panels on each side of the frame, enable simultaneous opening or closing of the panels.

Furthermore, it will be noticed that the user can have available at will either a large or small surface for holding objects by opening both or only one pair of panels.

The frame 10 also comprises legs 18; 19; fitted in a hinged manner around vertical axles situated laterally in relation to the frame so as to be able to contain between them the horizontal axles 12, 13 of the panel joints, i. e., the length of these panels themselves. The legs 18, 19 as shown in Fig. 2, consist of rods suitably bent so as to open out the frame 10 to ensure a sufficient support. The top ends 36, 37 and bottom ends 32, 33 of these rods are also bent and are inserted in the screwrings 20, 21 and 34, 35 screwed into the frame. The axle passing through the centers of these screw-rings forms the vertical joint axle of each leg.

The arrangement described above enables the legs 18, 19 to be turned back towards the inside and against the frame when the panels 14, 15 and 3t), 31 are themselves folded back towards the inside of the frame, so that in this position a very flat assembly is obtained.

Figure 3 shows the table in a position in which the pair of panels 14, 15 and the legs 19 are turned back, the panels 141' 142 and the legs 18 being, on the contrary, in open position. In this position, the table can be placed against a wall, for example.v If the panels 14, 15 and the legs 18 are also turned back, it will be seen that the space occupied is extremely reduced.

On the other hand, the length of the panels 14, 15 and 3d, 31 being comprised between the vertical joint axles of the legs and is such that the opening of the trays, will automatically cause the legs to open out as the panels push the legs farther apart.

In like manner, the automatic turning back of the legs 18, 19 when the panels 14, 15 and 30, 31 are closed, will be obtained by means of torsion springs 22, 23, impelling the legs against the panels, i. e., towards the frame.

So that the panels 14, 15 and 30, 31 should come into horizontal planes, the invention provides for stops which limit their opening. In the example shown, these stops are formed by lugs 24, 25 welded to the bottom part of the legs 18, 19 (Fig. 1) and on which the bottom panels 15, 31 rest when each pair of panels is opened.

Furthermore, it is also preferable to limit the opening of the legs 18, 19 towards the outside of the frame 10, so as to ensure that the panels 14, 15 are always maintained in the open position on the stops 24, 25.

The means used for this purpose consist, for example, of hooks 26, 27 fixed on the connecting rods 16, 17 connecting the panels of each pair. While the panels are opening, these hooks 26, 27 go behind the rods of each leg 18, 19, these rods thus being held between the small sides of the open panels and said hooks.

Moreover, these hooks also prevent the untimely and exaggerated opening of the legs 18, 19 which would cause the panels to slip downwards, as they would no longer be supported by the stops 24, 25, and, on the other hand, they ensure rigidity of the table when the same is in the open position.

The table described above can simply rest on its legs 18, 19. Nevertheless, it is preferable to add small wheels 28, 29 to these legs, which facilitate its movement even in the folded position and enable it to be used as a service table.

These small wheels turn back with the legs and practically add nothing to the space occupied by the folded assembly.

tab e. n a rrde ssrw th. 11 s. in nt o i r numerous advantages, and more particularly the following ones:

The hinge arrangement of the moveable panels 14, 15 and 30, 31' along the horizontal axes situated in" the plane oftherigidfrarnqenables thetable to be reduced to'a very flat and easilyjaccommodated assembly, by tnrningbackth'ese panels against this frame.

In the folded position, the table can be easily carried, owingto the 'small'spaceit occupies and its light construction. 'The top bar of 'the'frame it? can be used as a handle.

The two pairs of panels opening on each side of the frame and independently of each other, enables the user to'have a more 'or less large support surface available at will. In the'serni-op'en' position, the table can he leaned against a wall. "This position also facilitates the passage "of the table-along corridors and through doors.

The hinge arrangement'of the legs on either side of the movable panels provides also for a flat assembly of the table in folded position and form automatic opening and closing of the legs.

Lastly, the arrangement of'stops 24, 25 and hooks 26, 27 enables a perfectly rigid assembly to be obtained in the open position ofthe table.

Obviously, modifications with regard to detail or construction can be applied to the table described above, without going outside the scope of the present invention. In this way, forexample, therigid frame can be replaced by a solid'vertical panel and'the table can be fitted with only one pair of movable panels or a'single movable panel.

What I claim is: I

A folding table device comprising, in combination, a rigid frame; a plurality of superposed shelf panels on opposite sides of said rigid frame; hinge means hingedly connecting said panels to said frame for turning about a pluralityofhorizontal axes, said shelf panels being adapted to be turned about their respective horizontal axes between a first position extending substantially normal to said rigid frame and a second position arranged substantially parallel and closely adjacent to said -ri id, t am ans c n d an a r baenti distance from said hinge means pivotally connecting said shelf panels to said connecting rods to interconnect the superposed shelf panels on each side of said rigid frame for simultaneous movement thereof; a pair of leg means arranged on each of the opposite sides of said rigid frame, the leg means in each pair being located at opposite ends of said rigidframe; pivot means connecting said leg means to said frame to turn about vertical axes for movement towardand away from 'eachjther between a first position projecting ofitwardly awayifrom opposite sides of said rigid frame, and a second position arranged substantially parallel to said frame and-closely adjacent thereto, each of saidrleg means having a caster member extending below the'botto'm'of said rigidframe for spacing said frame above a supporting surface and for rollably supporting said frame in upright position with said shelf panels and said leg means in either their first or second positions; abutment'ni'eans 'on-e'ach of said leg means for limiting the downward movement 'of said shelf panels and for holding said'panels' insaid first position thereof; and spring means at'said pivot means urging said leg means into said second position thereof for pressing'said shelf panels while in theirs'ecor'id position against opposite sides of said rigid frame, whereby movement of said shelf panels from their second to their first position automatically openssaidj leg means for movement of *said leg means 'tothe fir'st position thereof, whereas movement of said shelf panels "from their'first to their second'position automatically permits movement of said leg means 'fro'mfheir first to their second'positionunder the influence of said spring means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS Chappory Apr. 6, 1943 

